Scandal at European Parliament: EP suspends immunity of Tarabella and Cozzolino
The immunity of Belgian Socialist MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian Socialist MEP Andrea Cozzolino, whose names were involved in corruption and money laundering scandal, was lifted with the vote held at the European Parliament (EP) General Assembly in relation to Qatar-Gate scandal.
While the investigation into the corruption and money laundering scandal in the European Parliament (EP), also called Qatargate, continues, their names were brought into the corruption and money laundering scandal at the EP General Assembly as part of the disciplinary process initiated by EP President Roberta Metsola on January 16.
A vote was held to lift the immunity of Belgian Socialist EP member Marc Tarabella and Italian Socialist EP member Andrea Cozzolino. Tarabella personally participated in the voting, which was held by raising hands instead of electronic counting in the General Assembly hall of the EP campus in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. When it was time to vote, the report that Tarabella also voted "yes" was accepted. The report, written separately for Tarabella and Cozzolino by French EP member Manon Aubry, was approved by the EP General Assembly. With the decision, the immunity of Belgian Socialist EP member Marc Tarabella and Italian Socialist EP member Andrea Cozzolino was lifted.
Last Tuesday, in the "secret" vote held within the EP Legal Affairs Committee, it was unanimously requested that the immunity of Cozzolino and Tarabella be lifted.
The decision will officially enter into force once EP Chair Roberta Metsola notifies Tarabella and Cozzolino of the result.
